With love for your family and our planet - Eco Choice Aotearoa

Choosing a casket for yourself or a loved one can be a deeply emotional experience. Every person has a unique story, and bidding our final farewells with a vessel as beautiful as the life lived, is a fitting way to honour that.

At Windsor Industries, we work to ensure the process of selecting a casket is made easier by offering environmentally friendly options. Simply ask for a Windsor casket at your local funeral home.

Eco Choice Aotearoa Certified

Our Waterford pine caskets are the first and only range in New Zealand to be certified by Eco Choice Aotearoa. This accreditation means we are committed to caring for the environment in the way we manage our business.

Environmental Practices Windsor is Committed to:

• Collaborating with NZ Forest Managers to source our pine: NZ Forest Managers hold Forest Stewardship Council certification for 57,000 hectares of planted forest, and maintain comprehensive water, pest control, and NZ Falcon monitoring systems
• Using untreated timber throughout the factory for all our timber caskets
• Sourcing Veneer which has been certified by Eco Choice Aotearoa
• Our Fibre Board is made in New Zealand with timber offcuts sourced from sustainably grown and harvested Radiata Pine forests
• Using non-toxic, water-soluble glues, water-based stains, and sealers
• Minimising landfill wherever possible by programming our cutting machines to optimise wood usage and encouraging staff to take home offcuts for their craft project
• Recycling our timber sawdust and shavings into fire briquettes
• Gifting offcuts and cover sheets to the public for use in home projects.
• Incorporating power-saving practices into our daily operations
• Upskilling staff in Health & Safety, and having current certifications including Health & Safety at Work (Hazardous Substances) Location Compliance Certification from Enviro Haz
• We do no use packaging to transport our caskets – instead we cover them with reusable purpose made covers
• Caskets are stored with reusable blankets
• We do not use disposable cutlery or plates in the staff lunchroom

Trees That Count

In 2020, we launched an initiative alongside Trees That Count that for each solid timber casket sold, a native tree is planted in a reserve in New Zealand. Since then, we have planted 1500 trees across New Zealand. These trees not only enhance the landscape but also provide habitats for wildlife, purify the air, and contribute to a healthier planet, symbolising both celebration of life and commitment to sustainability.

Alongside our environmental efforts, we have introduced two new styles in our solid timber casket range, featuring exquisite accents of New Zealand’s wild Pāua. These designs reflect our dedication to craftsmanship and the natural beauty of Aotearoa, ensuring each piece honours life authentically. This initiative leaves a lasting legacy, turning farewells into opportunities for renewal and fostering a greener future for generations to come.

Wild Pāua

The Pāua used in our Dorset Kowhaiwhai and Contemporary caskets comes from its natural ocean habitat, ensuring it is wild, not farmed. This Pāua is sourced from divers who hold a NZ government-issued quota or license. To maintain their quota, divers must adhere to several sustainability regulations. Qualified free divers gently lift the Pāua shells from rocks using handheld knives. Many New Zealand Abalone divers use GPS data loggers to track their harvest locations. The quantities brought to shore are regulated by the Total Allowable Commercial Catch set by the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI). These practices are regularly audited to support the sustainability of the Pāua industry.

Waka Moenga

The Waka Moenga Sleeping Vessel Casket stands as a testament to artistry and conservation. Handcrafted by skilled artisans at Pukaha Wildlife Centre, each casket features intricate Maori Puhoro carvings, symbolising a swift passage to the next realm. Beyond its cultural significance, purchasing this casket contributes directly to Pukaha’s wildlife conservation efforts. Proceeds from each sale support initiatives aimed at protecting and preserving New Zealand’s native wildlife and their habitats. This unique blend of craftsmanship and environmental stewardship ensures that each Waka Moenga casket not only honours life but also actively contributes to the sustainability of our natural heritage.

Natural Burials

A natural burial allows the body to return to the earth in its natural state.

• Plots are shallow
• The body is dressed in natural fibres and not embalmed
• The casket is made from untreated, sustainable wood
• The plot is over-planted with a tree native to the area, and the entire cemetery is gradually restored to native bush
• The cemetery becomes a permanent bush park – a living memorial to those interred, a haven for native flora and fauna, and a beautiful place for family and friends to visit

Both our Waterford and Dorset casket ranges are suitable for natural burials

Learn more at naturalburials.co.nz